Time to Get Ready for the Best Seasons of the Year

Feature Story by BRIAN JOHNSON

LISTEN: (4 minutes, 28 seconds)

 

IT’S HARD TO IMAGINE that even though the temps are soaring outside, hunting season will begin shortly with dove kicking off Sept. 1 followed by teal season.  

And there are always great fishing opportunities in that late summer/early fall period.

Here are a few tips to get you ready. 

Get a teal call and learn to blow it

There are two distinct sounds that a teal makes. One is a peep-peep type of whistle, and the other is a high pitched rapid quack.  There are calls on the market that mimic each sound.  The whistle is easier to blow, but the quack is sometimes more effective when blown properly.  Time is running out so if you don’t have one of each, go shopping now! 

Pack your mosquito spray and Thermacell

Both of these devices are imperative to have in the bag on a dove or teal hunt or fishing trip for that matter. Without them you will feel like you have been the victim of a vampire. The skeeters will suck every ounce of blood from your hot sweating body! 

Legal stuff

As simple as it sounds, make sure you have your hunting and fishing license and any other additional tags or permits you might need.

Will you be needing a federal duck stamp? What about an annual public hunting permit?

Make sure you have all of the above before you hit the field and find yourself in an uncomfortable position in a game warden check.

Fall’s Favorite Lures

Fall fishing can be intense and we mean that in a good way. The action can be red hot with the best numeric catches of the year both in our bays and inland reservoirs.

If you have favorite lures or favorite color/pattern lures, now is the time to stock up. Don’t wait until your favorite DOA shrimp color or Gulp Swimming Mullet is sold out. Get them now and stockpile them away so you will be ready when the action hits.

Check Your Waders

If you plan to pull out your waders from last season, go ahead and do it now. Sometimes mice decide to chew waders when they are stored in garages or storage buildings.  They may even make a nest in your boot.  Other times, waders simply dry rot or tear.  Either way, no one wants wet underwear after a hunt so be sure to do an inspection.

Separate Teal Decoys

Teal decoys are much lighter and easier to haul.  Since you will be hunting only teal, it makes perfect sense to use teal decoys exclusively.  If you need new ones, the good news is that teal are cheaper than the full size decoys.

Dove Decoys

Decoying is an overlooked aspect of dove hunting. We have lots of birds in Texas and many choose to find a good flyway and position themselves accordingly. Setting up decoys can be a great way to put birds in the shooting zone.

File A Field Plan

This can be as easy as telling a loved one where you are headed and when you plan to return. Leaving this crucial information with someone on shore can help rescuers narrow down where to look if you don’t return when scheduled. If time allows, you should always try to fill out a completed float plan and update it as changes occur. Every piece of information proves more helpful than you may think.

On a boat, the easiest thing to have is a working marine-band VHF radio and a handheld GPS. This will easily allow you to call for help and give rescuers your position if necessary. Cell phones don’t always receive reception in the areas you may be going on your boat – so better to be prepared with extra equipment and not need it, than need it and not have it. The Coast Guard always monitors VHF Channel 16 for distress.

Venturing into the woods on a hunting or camping trip has some similar guidelines. A great option is to get a transponder which links to a satellite and can send the GPS coordinate of your location to all emergency response units in your area by the push of a button.

Pick One Bird When Shooting

The most common mistake I see bird hunters make is not picking out an individual bird. The temptation is to just throw up your gun and flock shoot.  Remember if you aim at nothing. that’s probably what you will hit.  Be patient and pick a single bird out of the flock before pulling the trigger.

 

—story by BRIAN JOHNSON

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